Fire extinguisher



(No Model.) 2 Sheets S heet 1.

B. 'J. C. HOWE. FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

No. 443,983. Patented Dec. 30, 1 890.

(No Model.) -2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

.B. J. O. HOWE.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER; No. 443,983. Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN J. C. I-IOlVE, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE IIOVE PUMP AND ENGINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,983, dated December 30, 1890. Application filed June 30, 1890. Serial No. 357,260. No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN J. O. HOWE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the class known as Hand and Chemical Fire-Engines; and I hereby declare the following to .be a full, clear, and exact description of my invention, which will enable others skilled in the manufacture and use of machines of this class to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a combination of fire-extinguishing apparatus adaptedto operate with water either charged with fire-extinguishing chemicals or not, as may be desired, the objects being the production of an engine that is adapted to be charged with a fire-destroying liquid, so as to be ready for immediate action, simply constructed, and easily operated and managed. v

The engine will be fully understood from the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention, the near wheels being omitted. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through line 2, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is avertical sectional view through one of the cylinders on line 3, looking in direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 represents the plunger, parts being broken away to show the packing and spring. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional View through the center of the pump cylinders and checkvalves. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail side view of the packing beforebeing bent to form the packing in the plunger.

My engine is mounted upon a frame a, which rests on springs mounted on a pair of ordinary axles and wheels.

I) is a reservoir in which to carry water or fire-extinguishing liquid.

cc are the pump-cylinders, the pistons of which are operated by hand-levers cl, which are pivoted at d, the connection being completed by connecting-links d being at one extremity secured to said hand-levers and at the other to cross-beams (1 to which latter are secured the piston-rods d".

e is the piston, which is in this case formed of a flanged skeleton having a center for attachment to the piston-rod, radial arms projecting to the outer rim and level with the top of rim forming a seat for the flexible valve 6 At the outside of this piston is formed an annular groove, within which is located a pliable packing e, preferably made of leather cut at ends e to match, as seen at 6 Fig. 3. To prevent any leakage at this point on inner side of this packing,betwi-xt it and the piston is placed a flexible leaf-spring e tending to press the packing-ring e evenly outward against inner surface of cylinder 0, so as to prevent the escape of water by the piston on its upward stroke.

6 is a valve of suitable material, as leather or rubber, provided with suitable weights 6 to cause its dropping readily upon its seat.

The two cylinders c c are secured at top to a cap from which rises a pipe carrying an air-chamber communicating therewith and terminating in a discharge-opening at 0 At the bottom of these cylinders is secured a chamber 0 communicating with both cylinders and provided with a simple check-valve for each cylinder. This chamber is also provided at its under side with a two-way valve 0 opening a communication either with 0 a connection for hose leading from a cistern or other local Water-supply, or it may open a communication with reservoir 1) through pipe b. Thus by simply turning the valve by the lever with which it is provided the supply for the cylinders may be instantly changed from one source to another, as may be desired. The hose leading from the discharge 0 is wound on hose 'reel 3', from which it is removed and manipulated in the ordinary manner.

It is found to be preferable in the use of water charged with chemicals to use a nozzle having a small discharge, while in the use of water a larger discharge is preferable.

At f, g, 72, and i is hinged a folding brace, there being one on each side of engine. These braces are provided at 77. with a plain footpiece adapted to lie on the ground and to be held down firmly by the feet of one or more of the operators during the service of the engine. The height of these folding braces is such that in placing them on the ground they tend to relieve the springs of part of the weight resting upon them, so that the engine may be anchored more rigidly by them. The posilion of these folding braces during transit is represented by g, h, and f and that said braces may remain in such foldedposition with sufficient security the distance from 'i' to g is less than the sum of the distances from 2" to f and from g to f, so that when these braces are being folded there is a degree of resistance felt until the point g has passed beyond the point where '6', g, and f fall in a straight line. In turn this resistance prevents the braces from becoming accidentally unfolded. This arrangement facilitates the anchoring of the engine, as will be observed, when there is no time to be lost.

' The operation of my invention may be embraced by the following: At an alarm of fire two or three men can draw the engine down a sidewalk orlstreet to a convenient distance from the fire, the folding braces turned down to hold engine rigidly in position. Now while two or more men operate the pumps another manipulates the nozzle; and in this system of first using in small streams a liquid charged with fire-extinguishing chemicals, then if that fails the use ofwater in larger streams, which has been found so successful, my invention is found to be thoroughly practical, embracing, as it does, a combination of features that makes it a most effective means for conquering fires in the smaller cities.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a fire-engine, the combination embracing a carriage upon which are mounted a hose-reel, a tank, and thepump mechanism, hinged folding anchor-braces h being hinged to carriage 'at f, i, f; and t" and provided with hinges at g, h, g, and h, said braces being adapted to partially relieve said carriage of its load when they are thrown into service and by virtue of the proportions of their different elements, as described, to remain folded when thrown out of service, all as shown and fully set forth.

BENJAMIN J. O. HOWE.

\Vitnesses:

ABE.'L. TEETER, F. A. HOWE. 

